Despite all of the rain that the UK likes to graciously present us with, summer is just around the corner which means one thing – holidays! That time to relax, get away from responsibilities and more importantly, have FUN!

Whether you have planned to visit a tropical destination, a cultural city or an active getaway, we’ve put together a list of the essentials to make your holiday packing less stressful.

Beach Holiday:

Think of relaxing in Mexico, partying in Ibiza, getting married in Santorini or exploring Jamaica – all of these places are famous for their beaches, atmosphere and hot climates. While each place is absolutely stunning, there are some items you need to make sure you pack before visiting.

While the list above is pretty much essentials for any type of holiday, beaches and hot temperatures are often a far cry from the UK’s weather so make sure to include the following into your suitcase:

Insect repellent – being bitten from the countries native creepy-crawlies can make an impact on your holiday so make sure you’re stocked up.

Sun cream – it’s not difficult, there’s nothing worse than waking up from a nap at the pool to see you resemble a drumstick lolly, take precautions and make sure you have the correct SPF.

After Sun – for the people that don’t listen to Slaters advice above – we warned you!

Books and/or music – lounging by the sea or pool can be extremely relaxing however if you require some entertainment, consider reading a new book or listening your favourite music while taking in the surroundings.

City Break:

When City Breaks are mentioned, we always think of culture, food and drinks. Whether you are planning on sightseeing in Paris, eating Gelato in Rome, cycling round Amsterdam or sampling beer in Berlin – city breaks can be enjoyable, educational and a treat for all senses.

If you’ve already booked your city break, there are some items you may need to make sure is included in your packing:

Weather dependant jacket – Although Europe can get extremely warm in the Summer time, similar to the UK, the weather can sometimes be unpredictable and we recommend packing a light jacket for colder days or light showers.

Comfortable shoes – if you’re sightseeing, you could be walking for hours to see the most popular spots, so make sure you take shoes that will endure both the heat and the excessive travelling.

Camera or GoPro – If you’re hopping from city to city, instead of just taking photos, recording your trip can be a fun and memorable way of keeping the memories alive.

Swimwear – Although these are typical for a beach holiday, city breaks can often include the opportunity to swim, such as roof top pools in Barcelona or heading off to the beach one day in Spain.

Theme Park Holiday:

Some of the most popular destinations for theme parks include Florida, California and France. You could be taking the kids to Walt Disney World, experiencing thrilling rides in Busch Gardens or visiting Universal’s Island of Adventure. Theme Park holidays can be some of the most fun and memorable holidays but they can also be very tiring since there’s so much to do and see.

If you’re counting down the days until you approach the Sunshine State then try and include a few of the items below for an incredible trip:

Backpack – A given, but since you’ll probably be at the theme park for hours on end, you’ll need something to keep all your items in, especially if you’re taking young children.

Sunglasses (cheap spare pair) – The majority of these places will be extremely sunny but due to the amount of rides you’ll be on, we recommend taking a more affordable pair just in case of any accidents. If you break your Ray Bans on an upside-down rollercoaster, don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Plasters – despite the comfortable shoes, the endless amount of walking around these huge parks are prone to providing you with at least a few blisters, so prevent this by packing plasters into your bag.

Ponchos or umbrella – Thunderstorms can happen within the blink of an eye and you don’t want to be caught out in one of these – trust me – so pack a cheap cover and make your way to your favourite busy ride – while others will be running for cover, you’ll be in the queue and on the ride before they even dry off.

We hope that wherever you’re off to this year, that you have a fantastic time and hopefully our lists help create a stress-free, non-panic-packing-experience. If you have any top holiday packing tips then please comment below or share them with us on Twitter!